Description:

Civil War
Yorktown, VA, October 14, 1862
Civil War Soldier Writes to his Parents, He Expects "the war will close this winter" Due to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation
ALS

Civil War. Autograph Letter Signed, "Marshall S. Moses", 4pp, on bifold ruled stationery measuring 5" x 8", Yorktown, Virginia, October 14, 1862. Accompanied by an impressive patriotic cover with postmark cancelling two 3-cent George Washington stamps. Envelope is in good condition and exhibits expected wear including soiling, chipping, and tape repair to opening tear at right portion. Letter is in near fine condition with usual mailing folds, light age toning, and scattered ink smudging which does not affect legibility.

In full:

"Dear Father & Mother / Your letter of the 24th of September was received some days ago and should have been answered before but I have been busy fixing for winter and for home. Besides, we have just been having our equinoxial storm for the last 3 or 4 days.

There is not much news to write from this point. We remain here at Yorktown yet and we expect to stay here all winter - at least I hope so. I cook for the company yet. I have got the most of my papers made out for a furlough. I do not know as I can get them signed by the General. We expect to be paid off this week and if my papers go through all right, I shall start for home the first of next week. There is no trouble about them in the regiment. My furlough is for twenty days but Capt. Newberry in his recommend to the General suggests that I be allowed to recruit for the regiment for a few days. If I am allowed that privilege, I may stay at home a month or two.

You wanted to know what condition our hospitals were in. They are generally good, I understand. I have been from home nine months today and have never seen the inside of a hospital yet. I have had quite a sick spell once but was lucky enough not to go to the hospital. I am the only Morrisville boy hat has been with the company every night on our marches. So you can judge whether my health has been good or not.

We get a great many luxuries here but we have to pay a high price for them. I received a small box of things from Eliza a few days ago. I am sorry 'J' has enlisted for I think there is single men enough, but still I am glad to see him here. So much patriotism in him. Give my best respects to his family and tell them that I hope by the help of 'God' we shall all meet together once more. This letter is written in a hurry but you must take your time in reading it.

I think that the war will close this winter. The President's Emancipation Proclamation, I think, will be the means of bringing the border states into the Union again which will be the means of crushing this unholy & unjust rebellion. Tell Father if I get my furlough I shall be at home to election and I will do as I did last fall - vote a good, straight Democratic ticket. I will write again from the Falls if I go home. So excuse me for not writing more this time. My love to all. 'Good by'. From your affectionate son, Marshall S. Moses / Co. E, 81st Regt. N.Y.S. Vols., 1st Brigade Peck's Division, Yorktown, Virginia".

Marshall Stanley Moses (1836-1912) was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, and came with his parents as a small boy to Morrisville, New York. He was a molder by trade. He married Katherine Eliza Kellar (1839-1911) in 1854 and they had two children together. In 1861, Moses enlisted in Co. E, 81st New York Infantry, serving as a private, then corporal, for three years. After reenlisting as a veteran, and just before he was to become commissioned as a lieutenant, he was seriously wounded in action at Swift Creek, Virginia, and underwent the amputation of a limb. After considerable suffering, he was discharged in September 1864 at New York City and returned home, whereupon he subsequently moved to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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